Polack warns Kotoko players against complacency vs. Medeama

Exclusive: After winning the President Cup, the Porcupines coach has urged his charges to end their celebrations and shift attention to the league

Asante Kotoko coach Steve Polack anticipates a difficult game when they host fifth-placed Medeama in the Ghana Premier League matchday 21 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The former King Faisal manager has had a wonderful start to his campaign with the Kumasi giants, going eight games without a defeat, including a victory over fierce rivals Hearts of Oak to lift the 2017 edition of the President Cup on Monday.

However, he has warned his players against complacency ahead of Medeama meeting.

"There are similarities between clubs I've managed in Ghana but I believe the concept and expectations at Kotoko differ from the others. Honestly, Kotoko is the biggest club in Ghana so while you're here, you must understand the pressure," Polack told Goal.

"I was very emotional during the game against Hearts of Oak in the President Cup and winning it makes me feel cool because no coach will ever dream of losing his first cup final. However, I believe that we must shift the attention to the next game against Medeama. We need total concentration to defeat them and I've warned the players against complacency.

"I've gone through their records in Kumasi and I think we have to double our efforts to maintain the winning mentality since we're undefeated in our last eight games in all competitions. We have big games in a couple of weeks to come so we must start dreaming of winning on Sunday."

He added: "Mathematically, the league isn't over for us since we're only eight points behind the leaders and ten solid matches to be played. We have to aim at winning as many matches we can and hope something also happens to our opponents."

Kotoko lost the first game against Medeama 2-1 in Tarkwa, thanks to Paul Aidoo's brace through penalties.